Bengal govt to certify three mango varieties

The West Bengal government has initiated the process of providing GI (geographical indications) certification to three varieties of mangoes, locally known as Himsagar, Fajli and Lakshman Bhog, according to Sanjeev Chopra, secretary of the department of food processing industry and horticulture.

Chopra, however, declined to comment on when the process would be completed.

The GI certification will enable effective branding of the varieties and also help project their unique characteristics, thereby facilitating exports.

"We are also exploring the option of e-trading of fruits," Chopra said, adding, "We will hold talks with a delegation of the Safal Exchange in this regard, which will visit Kolkata on June 19."

Last year, 5 per cent of the mangoes in Karnataka were sold through online trading.

Chopra pointed out that in an e-auction system, farmers did not have to go from one place to another to market their produce.

The department of food processing and horticulture is set to launch its own website by the year-end.

Chopra hinted at exporting mangoes to the US next year, but refused to divulge details. He said the aim was to raise farmers' income, be it through exports of hybrid varieties or the sale of table varieties within the country.

Mangoes are, currently, exported to Bangladesh, the UK and other countries of the European Union. About 100 tonnes of mangoes are exported every year, representing 2 to 3 per cent of the total global exports.

Most of the mangoes exported are processed and a substantial portion of the raw mango crop is wasted.

Fruit exports are determined by a host of factors such as colour, size, shelf life, pesticides content and also by international prices.

B D Bose, president of the Agri Horticultural Society of India (AHSI), emphasised the need to produce high quality and hybrid varieties of mangoes to boost exports.

The government should organise more buyer-seller meets and improve quality as well as logistics, besides holding more training programmes for farmers for skills required in pre- and post-harvest management, he added.

The AHSI recently conducted a certificate course in horticulture in association with Calcutta University.